Can history be transformed?

Inés Palomeque.
Director of Mil Milenios de Paz
 
We thought about what would be the best way to integrate young people from Latin America, and especially from countries who will be commemorating their bicentenary- Argentina- Bolivia- Chile – Ecuador- Mexico- Paraguay and Venezuela. The decision was taken to organise the 10th Young Peace Messenger Leaders Parliamentary Assembly between 15th and 17th September 2010 in the Honourable Senate in Argentina.

In the very place where laws are drawn up and passed, the Senate Building, young people will give their point of view, from a dynamic, multidimensional, interactive, positive, creative, committed, respectful vision and with an awareness of their Rights and Responsibilities they will connect with the history of their respective countries, and the great men and women of that history and the way in which they shaped the life of the people there. They will use this to put forward suggestions and exchange innovative ideas and actions that can generate peace and wellbeing for all and help to build a fraternal, humane and just society.

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2010 is a very important year for those who want to reinvent the future. 200 years ago in a number of Latin American countries, emancipation movements rose up almost simultaneously in order to liberate people from colonialism. Argentina celebrated the anniversary of the May Revolution and the creation of the first national government on May 25th. Six years later, after a long process and in a global context that favoured emancipation, the Declaration of Independence was made, on 9th July 1816. Something which started off as a feeling and was then presented at a town meeting, helped to transform us into a Free and Sovereign Nation, to grow and develop as an independent group of people.

200 years is no small thing, without a doubt it constitutes a huge and unique opportunity for us to connect with our past, reflect on our present and achieve real, peaceful integration through personal and social transformation.

In order to transform history, we need to dream of a better tomorrow. Finding reconciliation within ourselves and with others, forgiving ourselves and others. Getting to know our roots (past) helps us to get to know ourselves, reflecting on our lifestyle (present) helps us to transform our future. We need to re-find ourselves and others.

The May celebration is an emblem of freedom. The freedom we knew how to achieve. Freedom that we want to protect for ourselves and future generations and which begins with peace and helps us to find inner freedom. Peace and Freedom are necessary for us to transform our future and expand qualitatively.

Building a plan for the country through dialogue, finding common ground, establishing fair agreements, discovering strategies that help to strengthen our dreams, as people and as a nation, requires courage and bravery. And here peace can form a bridge that unites us.

Within the state of peace all people are equals. Peace implies the presence of integral, individual harmony, which is reflected in pleasant, collaborative, creative social conduct. When we are at peace we can carry out a joint project that reaches beyond individual desire and benefits the common good.

Each and every one of us is a centre of peace. If we awaken our consciousness we will discover and recuperate our true power. The power that each of us has and should know how to use to build and help create the common good. To transform ourselves and transform others, the hatred that is within love, and the revenge that lies within forgiveness. As long as we flame the fires of resentment, we will be trapped in the past, depressed and devalued, full of negative thoughts and feelings.

Perhaps the key is to build bridges of friendship, strengthen collaboration, apply our knowledge to help develop groups of people, all groups of people. To help all men. Because we are one. And therefore the good and the bad that we do, sooner or later will affect us in some way. We need to hold everyone in our consciousness, let go of our fear when we meet others, create alliances, trust in man’s ability to give, love and be brave in order to achieve peace.

The participation of young people is fundamental to the creation of transformation. “We, as young people decide to begin to change by respecting human values, the context that we exist in and by valuing everyday life”. IX Assembly “Young people, politics and peace” 18th September 2009. National Congress. Buenos Aires (Argentina).

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